CEP Outdoor Light Merino Socks Review

CEP Outdoor Light Merino Socks Review

Read on for a Light Merino Socks Review.

CEP Sock

The new CEP Outdoor Light Merino socks I got did not fit neatly into my “socks system”. All my black socks go in one drawer. All my ankle-high white socks go in a different drawer. All my calf-high white socks go in a third drawer. All the socks in any drawer are interchangeable, so no pairing is needed. Simplify, simplify.

These new socks, although black, would not fit the system because, strangely, one is marked “L” and the other “R”. Additionally, although they were marked as size medium, they looked appropriate for an eight-year old. They were tiny!

After I put them on (yes, they fit wonderfully in spite of their apparent small size) I wanted to take all those other socks, all three drawers full, and toss them. The new socks felt that good.

CEP Outdoor Light Merino socks are light, short and rugged. The design is ideal for a variety of climates and ensures a perfect thermal balance even in warm or humid conditions. This thinly padded hiking sock offers a precise fit and increases circulation in the legs and feet making feet/legs feel fresher longer.

CEP Outdoor Light Merino Socks Features

This high-quality sock offers the following features:
-Unique combination of premium merino wool, finest silk and high-tech functional fibers for extreme durability
-Perfect anatomical fit (thus the L and R)
-Extra-flat toe seam
-Excellent heat and moisture management
-Padded zones to relieve pressure where it’s needed most
-Close-fitting foot section helps prevent blisters
-Antibacterial, odor-reducing properties

We all wear socks. In a word, these socks are great. If I get a several more pairs I can put all the Ls in one drawer and all the Rs in another. Simplify, simplify.

For more information or to purchase some (and you should) visit this link- http://www.cepcompression.com/men/socks/mens-dynamic-outdoor-light-merino-mid-cut-socks

Your feet will thank you.

John Kumiski

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Orion Cooler Review

Orion Cooler Review

orion cooler review

The Orion 45 Cooler has been in use in Spotted Tail for about three weeks now, long enough for me to state categorically that it’s the finest cooler I’ve ever seen. I can write a knowledgeable Orion Cooler review! There is also a Yeti cooler on Spotted Tail, so it’s easy to make comparisons. And I have used Coleman and Igloo coolers for decades. Their quality is such that they are completely out of this discussion.

Orion Coolers come in four sizes. The Orion 45 is versatile, well suited to everything from day trips to week-long outings. Whether by canoe, truck, motor boat or RV, the 45 is sized for high portability, while still having the ability to carry common items like two litre bottles or a case of cans.  It makes a great standing platform for casting!

Orion coolers have a number of features and innovations unique to the rugged cooler market. There are a lot of premium coolers.  They all look alike. Orion doesn’t. Orion introduced multi-color, camo plastic blends to the cooler market, making every single Orion cooler unique.

Each cooler has YakAttack gear tracks on each side for easy customization via RAM accessory integration, a key innovation that allows you to add holders for fishing rods, phones, cups, fish finders, GPS and more.

orion cooler review

Corner tie-down and side gear track.

To help hold the cooler in place are six tie-down points (four of which are bottle openers), giving multiple ways to secure your cooler. Holding all your cold items secure are low-profile, camming latches that are hinged for ease of use and snag-free when loading or using the cooler as a fly fishing casting platform. Orion Coolers are all lockable via padlocks on the corners, both to secure the cooler, and to seal it shut, and are bear proof following IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) certification criteria.

orion cooler review

The camming latch is recessed while closed…

 

orion cooler review

…and here it is, open.

On the top of the cooler is a standing pad for traction, seated comfort and a look distinctly Orion. The strong and comfortable rope carry handles give long-lasting comfort and sure grip in tough conditions.

orion cooler review

The standing pad is an integral part of the Orion Cooler.

 

orion cooler review

Carry grips are strong yet comfortable.

Every Orion cooler is made in the USA with a rugged, roto-molded polyethylene shell built to give you years of service. Underneath that rugged exterior shell, Orion Coolers have at least two inches of insulation to keep what’s cold, cold. My two quart freeze bottle stays frozen for at least three days.

orion cooler review

That lonely freeze bottle will stay frozen at least three days.

Inside the cooler you will find a solid thermoformed plastic tray, not the standard wire mesh trays you will find elsewhere.  It allows for drainage, but won’t let your smaller items fall through.

Lighting your way is a removable, Princeton-Tec AMP1 light, helping you see in the cooler at night or diminished light conditions. Use it in the cooler, or remove it for use around your camp at night.

This cooler is built like a bomb shelter. You will never wear it out.

Cooler story- last week I had two fishermen in my boat, which was part of a corporate three-boat charter. One of my fishermen was texting with his iPhone. He put the phone down on top of the Yeti, which is secured on the front deck of my boat. At that instant a fish hit. The boat rocked, and the phone slid off the Yeti into the water.

If the Orion had been mounted up there the phone would not have moved. The Orion has a tough, closed-cell foam standing pad on top.

Orion Coolers have a website, of course. I suggest you visit. Its URL is http://www.orioncoolers.com.

Orion Coolers have my highest recommendation. And that is my Orion Cooler review.

John Kumiski

www.spottedtail.com

http://www.spottedtail.com/blog

www.johnkumiski.com

www.rentafishingbuddy.com

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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Mystery Tackle Box a Winner

Mystery Tackle Box a Winner

An email came in that wasn’t spam! It asked me if I wanted a Mystery Tackle Box. Yes I did. The MTB came in three flavors- bass, panfish, and saltwater. Which did I want?
I wanted all three of course but I chose saltwater, then forgot about it. A few days later, though, a Mystery Tackle Box came in the mail.

mystery_tackle_box_logo
Frankly I expected junk from a Chinese knock-off factory. Much to my surprise and delight everything in the box was something I could use, to whit:

-a package of Big Bite soft plastic saltwater baits, shrimp imitations;
-a package of Pintail soft plastic baits, jerk baits;
-a package of Mustad Power Lock Plus size 3/0, 1/8th ounce hooks;
-a Strike Pro surface plug, walk-the-dog type;
-a Hyper Striper jig, something like a Road Runner;
-a package of Knot 2 Kinky nickel-titanium leader wire.

Heck Yeah!

So, now it was time to see what Mystery Tackle Box really was. A visit to their website (http://mysterytacklebox.com) ensued. This is what I found:
Mystery Tackle Box is a monthly subscription service that introduces both beginner and expert anglers to new fishing lures and tackle. In addition to receiving fishing lures, you will also receive a “About Your Box” card that will explain a little more about each bait you received in your box as well as a unique link to our website to watch videos, read product reviews, learn different rigging options and much more information about each of the products in your box.

“Each month you will get a variety of quality fishing products from both large and small manufacturers. We do our best to send a variety of brands and products types in each box to ensure that you have the best chance of discovering and trying new products. We have product specialists who are experienced tournament fisherman reviewing each bait that we put in the box to make sure it is good quality.  Every box will have at least $20 worth of products and most boxes have $23-$27 worth of retail value.”

You can subscribe for yourself or as a gift subscription for someone else. The testimonials page on the website is full of glowing letters from folks who were happy with their boxes.

Check them out at http://mysterytacklebox.com and see if a Mystery Tackle Box subscription will work for you.

 

John Kumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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Sevylor Quikpak K1 Review

Sevylor Quikpak K1 Review

 Sevylor Kwik Pak K-1 review

The Sevylor Quikpak K-1, ready for launch.

So this fairly inaccessible pond used to have a boat on it. When I visited the pond a few weeks ago, the boat was gone. GONE! How could I fish there now? The bottom is soft, the pond full of big alligators. That’s not a good wading combination.

Some research on-line led me to the Sevylor Quikpak K1 One Person Inflatable Kayak. I contacted (three times) the media representative at Coleman (Coleman owns Sevylor) to inquire about obtaining said vessel. They never responded to me.

Since the boat with shipping was less than $120, I just bought it. But I am wondering what customer service will be like, should I need it.

The boat arrived in a large carton. In the carton was the boat, a hand pump and hose, a paddle (which I just threw away), and the pack to carry the boat in. And of course there were instructions.

I took the boat into my yard and blew it up. The literature says this will take five minutes. It’s more like ten, not a deal-breaker if you’re the type who would carry the thing for a mile or two to get it to a body of water. Pumping up the boat is only a small amount of work, but enough that my aging butt had to take a break in the middle of it.

The valves and the hose nozzles are not brilliantly engineered. By being a little fussy one person can still get all five chambers filled up with air in minutes. The hose appears to be the weakest link in the system- guaranteed to be the first item to break.

The pump also sucks all the air out of the boat when you’re finished using it. That’s a good thing- that way it fits back into the pack.

This morning I gave the boat the on-the-water test. I carried it a mile and a half to the pond, filled it up with air, put it in the water, and climbed on.

By the way, since I have other kayaks I also had a decent paddle already. I did not need or want the chintzy one that came with the boat.

The K1 paddles kind of like a doughnut, or a big inner tube, might. Every paddle stroke turns the bow of the boat the other way. There is a lot of effort wasted going laterally.

I kept telling myself if not for this boat I would not be there at all. I don’t suppose one can expect a finely designed and built boat for $120.

In its defense, the boat stayed filled with air. The material from which it’s made appears sturdy enough to last for multiple trips. The quality of the (Chinese) construction appears to be more than adequate.

I found myself wishing I had an anchor. I believe an eight ounce lead pyramid on a thin nylon line would be adequate. As it was I parked it on top of weedbeds and fly fished from that stationary position.

Sevylor Quikpak K1 Review

This was the best fish of the morning’s feasibility study. This boat will help me find a bigger fish!

I caught five bass from the boat this morning, and made it back to the put-in without incident. It passed the water test! With some maneuvering I was even able to pee from it. I think my limit for sitting in the thing will be four hours or so.

I’ve always regarded kayak fishing as an exercise in minimalism, but this boat takes it to the extreme. Outside of my pockets (in which was a small fly box, a leader wheel, and a multi-tool) I had a paddle, a one-liter water bottle, a banana for both good luck and a delicious snack, and a five-weight fly outfit.

The boat lets me access a place I would not otherwise be able to fish. I will adjust to its idiosyncrasies and continue using it as time and weather permits.

The Sevylor Quikpak K1 One Person Inflatable Kayak- it’s not the perfect boat, but it does allow one to fish otherwise inaccessible water.

 

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

 

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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ZOINX Sunglasses Review

ZOINX Sunglasses Review

Selling sunglasses has to be a tough business. Look how many really good sunglass companies are out there! It gets to be confusing for consumers. So here is a Zoinx sunglasses review.

In spite of the tough competition, a company called ZOINX has just come out with a new line of non-prescription sunglasses. I got a pair. They are pretty nice, and reasonably priced.

zoinx sunglasses

The lightweight frames are constructed of high precision machined alloy with a brushed finish. All ZOINX sunglasses feature the finest triacetate cellulose (TAC) polarized lenses, which effectively reduce glare and reflection, making them ideal for a variety of activities. The Clip-O-Matic temples are made of TR90 thermoplastic polyamide which is durable, flexible and hypoallergenic.

ZOINX sunglasses have a unique feature which may prove to be their biggest selling point- a patented clip integrated into the temples. This clip allows you to keep better track of your shades when you’re not wearing them. Instead of sitting them down, clip them to your bag or your belt. Never lose your sunglasses again.

zoinx sunglasses

ZOINX glasses also come with a sport strap, Zipper Pouch, flotation insert and waterproof Emergency Info card. The sport strap can be used on the glasses to keep them attached to your head, or as a wrist pouch for car keys, a few dollars, etc. The sport strap is a nice touch.

zoinx sunglasses

The lenses appear to be of good quality. Since I need prescription glasses I cannot test them directly; however, my son tried the glasses and said they were very comfortable- distortion-free, lightweight, with a good pair of nosepieces and well fitting temples.

ZOINX sunglasses are guaranteed for one year from the date of purchase against manufacturer’s defects in materials and workmanship. The components and parts of the sunglasses, such as the frames, lenses and temples, are covered under this warranty.

ZOINX sunglasses are made in China and retail for $119. For more information, visit their website here…

And that is the  Zoinx sunglasses review.

 

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
http://www.spottedtail.com/blog
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2015. All rights are reserved.

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Energy Bits for You

Energy Bits for You

energy bits

Recently a product sample arrived in my mailbox. The product, called Energy Bits, consists of a “serving” of 30 dark green tablets that look like something your doctor might prescribe. The tablets are composed entirely of organically grown non-GMO Spirulina algae – a super food endorsed by the United Nations and NASA as the most nutritionally dense food in the world.

The Energy Bits are not what I would call delicious. However, literature included with the product recommends not chewing them, just washing them down with water. Curiosity made me chew them! They turned my mouth pretty green.

During my recent trip to the Everglades I “ate” 30 Energy Bits (the manufacturer’s recommended serving size) as a breakfast one morning, just washing them down with water. They were not as satisfying as a breakfast at IHOP. However, I did not get hungry until close to lunchtime, and this was with paddling all morning. I would do it again!

Spirulina was a food source for the Aztecs and other Mesoamericans until the 16th century. Dried Spirulina contains about 60% protein, more than twice as much as a piece of beef. Nowadays Spirulina is used by many athletes as a nutritional supplement. It is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids, superior to typical plant protein such as that from legumes. Spirulina is the most concentrated antioxidant food source known.

Energy Bits, 100 percent Spirulina, are fast, easy, and reasonably priced. They are really good for you. Learn more , or purchase some, at their website here…

Will they help you catch more fish? Not today. However, if you live longer as a result of using Energy Bits, then you’ll get to go fishing more. If you fish more you should catch more fish. So eating Energy Bits will help you catch more fish, too!

Life is great and I love my work!

John Kumiski
www.spottedtail.com
www.johnkumiski.com
www.rentafishingbuddy.com
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jkumiski

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2014. All rights are reserved.

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apps to utilize to make fishing easier

apps to utilize to make fishing easier

Fishing_off_pier

Guest Blog by James Wilson

There’s no doubt that even the most trivial problems we encounter on a daily basis, we tend to now lean on technological aids to overcome such hurdles. And it’s testament to app developers that such fishing-centered apps have become a vital part of people’s itinerary when planning their next fishing trip.

Just like the eBook which we recently documented on to help anglers seek advice on fishing in the Florida region, we feel that apps have just as important place in the modern fisherman’s “tackle box”. If they make the job easier for us all, why shouldn’t we rely on such technological short cuts?

With the Verge publishing an article saying that there is now over 1 million apps in the App Store, there has been a spike in the amount of fishing apps available recently. Couple this with the increase in smartphone usage across the world, especially in America to a reported 17% and many companies are seeing the need for a more digitally focused business model through such formats as apps.

Many developers are tapping into the need for instantly accessible content via mobile devices as it is said to be “one of the most powerful trends on the Internet landscape,” of late per PocketFruity developers Gaming Realms. Thus, the increase in Internet mobile activity is only heightening the need for more innovative apps to hit the market on a daily basis.

One of the best apps to come from this surge in apps being produced in the fishing sector is Pro Angler – Premium Fishing App. Designed by Open Ocean Apps, it equips the user with GPS tracking and the following great features:

– GPS hot spots database
– Extensive database to help identify species
– Detailed regulations reference database
– Solunar times
– Tide information
– Weather forecasts
– Tips from professional anglers
– Also, detailed walk-throughs on various beginner techniques

There’s also FL SW Fishing Regulations app, which does exactly what it says on the tin. You’ll never fall foul of any regulations again with this informative app. It also has built-in data on all Saltwater Fish from the state of Florida as well as illustrations and the aforementioned regulations.

Regulations data includes:

– Size limits
– Bag limits
– State records
– Fish identification info
– Habitat info

The best thing about FL SW Fishing Regulations is that you don’t need Internet access to access it vast array of data so it’s the ideal partner on a fishing trip.

If you have any other recommendations of apps that have helped you fish in Florida, speak your mind below.

Brief History of the Johnson Minnow

Brief History of the Johnson Minnow

johnson minnow red

Reader Chuck at BellSouth sent me a question about my three favorite lures for blind casting in the lagoons. My response was:

-the Chug Bug
-the Johnson Minnow
-the DOA Deadly Combo

Chuck replied with the following:

“Thanks for tips!

“Would have never guessed the old Johnson Minnow spoon would make the list. But after doing some research on this lure, I now understand why it works well in Mosquito Lagoon.

“You might be interested in the history of the Johnson Silver Minnow and why it’s unique design makes it so successful.”

Silver Minnow is still shining after 73 years

The Johnson Silver Minnow, one of the most enduring and successful fishing lures of all time, was invented in 1920 by Louis Johnson, a retired Chicago foundry operator. The lake where Louis and his son fished was full of fish, but it was also weedy. So, with the practical style of many creative Midwesterners, he set out to develop a fishing lure that would not catch weeds but still catch fish.

The result was the first spoon lure with a weed guard, stiff enough to keep weeds away from the hook, but flexible enough for bass and pike to get hooked. In fact, his experimental spoon lures were made from silver table spoons with the handles cut off and a Scents hook and weed guard soldered to the concave underside. History does not record whether these first spoons were silver plate or genuine sterling, but the idea of having a fishing lure made of silver caught his imagination. Seventy-three years later, the Johnson Silver Minnow is still plated with real silver.

Like other spoon lures of the day, the Johnson Silver Minnow was designed to imitate the flashing movement of a minnow. Other manufacturers had long incorporated flashing spinners into the design of their lures, but Louis Johnson’s new lure was the first to integrate a guarded hook onto the spoon, and the first to use real silver for a whiter, brighter flash than chrome of polished steel.

Johnson didn’t work with his “table spoon” very long before the learned something else about designing the perfect weedless lure: hooks that faced up were less weedy than hooks that faced down or spun around from the lure’s action. Even a guarded hook would catch weeds occasionally if it was retrieved with the hook facing down. Johnson reasoned that if he could figure out a way to ensure that the hook would always face up, the lure would be almost completely weedless.

Putting his years of foundry experience to work, Johnson decided to forge a spoon of a special copper/zinc alloy that was thicker in the middle than on the edges. With its weight concentrated along its centerline, this created a spoon that would rock back and forth as it was retrieved, but always keep the convex face down and the hook facing up. Other spoons of the day were simply stamped out of brass or steel. They often just spun through the water as they were retrieved. In fact, much of the Silver Minnow’s weedlessness can be attributed to the way in which the downward-riding spoon itself acts as a weed guard — and simply rides over weeds much like a water skier rides of the waves.

By getting the lure to keep its convex spoon side down and it hook up, Johnson also unwittingly made the lure visually effective under water. When retrieved, Johnson’s Silver Minnow rocks back and forth through a 270 degree angle, flashing reflections downs and to both sides, but not up. Since fish almost always attacked a lure from below or the side, there was no need for it to be visible from above. That meant that the lure could produce more flashes in the right directions per retrieve than stamped metal spoon lures.

Yet another benefit of the rocking spoon-down motion was that anglers no longer had to worry about line twist or special swivels. Spinning spoon lures used without swivels twist fishing line, and contribute to backlashes and tangles. To this day, Johnson Silver Minnows are manufactured with a simple soldered wire eye. Line can be tied directly to the lure without fear of line twist. The one exception would be when using the versatile Silver Minnow for” pike or muskellunge. Since even medium-sized pike will often inhale the entire lure, it is wise to use the lure with a short steel leader.

The Silver Minnow’s rocking motion also helps control the sinking rate when cast. Whereas many spoons simply dive to the bottom tail first, the Silver Minnow gently drops horizontally, rocking in its characteristic motion. This gives an angler ample time to take up the slack after cast and begin the retrieve before the lure has had a chance to bury itself in weedy cover, or behind a log. This feature also makes the lure effective the second it touches the water. Many strikes on the Silver Minnow come as the just-cast lure is rocking gently toward the bottom.

Trailers and the Silver Minnow.

The Johnson Silver Minnow is a deadly lure when fished plain, but when it is combined with a trailer, it is especially effective in triggering strikes. In addition, the Silver Minnow’s unique rocking motion is not affective by a trailer like many other spoons are.

For traditionalists, a pork rind trailer of red/white or yellow/white is one of the best combinations. Adding a red 3-inch waving tail imitates the red gill rakers that would show on a wounded or distressed bait fish. This works like a visual “dinner bell” to a predatory fish, who would rather attack a slower, “wounded” fish than try to catch a fast, healthy one.

But red is not always the color of choice. Often some experimentation is needed to find out what color of trailer will be working on that day, in that lake, on that particular species of fish in that particular kind of cover. Newer plastic trailers are more convenient than the traditional pork rind, and can be carried in a great variety of colors with less weight and bulk. Soft plastic Silver Minnow Trailers in a variety of colors, are now marketed by Johnson Fishing for use with all Silver Minnows.

The Silver Minnow Today
The Johnson Silver Minnow is still manufactured in the same way it was in 1920 — by hand — and still plated with real silver for the brightest possible underwater “flash.” Originally manufactured in Chicago by the Louis Johnson Company, the lure was purchased by Johnson Fishing Inc. of Mankato, MN in 1974. In 1976, manufacturing facilities were moved to Johnson Fishing’s Bass Buster Lure division in Amsterdam, MO. The Silver Minnow continues to be one of the best selling lures of all time.

Source:
Gettysburg Times, August 11, 1993

————————————————–

And that is a brief history of the Johnson Minnow. The Johnson Minnow has been in continuous production longer than any other fishing lure in history. There just might be a good reason for that.

Thanks for the great response, Chuck- I was able to turn it into a blog!

John Kumiski

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New Single Use Female Urinary Device Lets Women Pee While Standing

This is an awesome idea, the perfect gift for the outdoors woman on your list!

Women have it rough… out for hike or camping or a kayak ride and complaining about having to pee in the bushes? The answer is here ….

LIVE-RIGHT ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE USE FEMALE URINARY DEVICE TO ALLOW WOMEN TO STAND WHEN PEEING
Developed by a team of doctors, pee pocketTM is ideal for any woman on the go, who has to go!

THE PEE POCKET female urinary device is perfect for athletes, travelers, the elderly, disabled, pregnancy, parents of young girls, post-surgery patients – any woman who might have to go while on the go; active women who enjoy the outdoors, sports, music festivals, camping, hiking, biking, traveling, etc. Sketchy bathrooms — or nonexistent ones! — are no match for this handy device. It fits easily into a purse or backpack and is a must-have for germ-conscious women who don’t have access to a sit-down toilet or who don’t want to use unfit facilities.

THE PEE POCKET is a single use, waterproof disposable funnel allowing women to pee while standing. Its convenient tri-fold design easily fits in purse or pocket and includes a hygienic tissue wipe and disposable bag. Use without getting hands or other body parts wet.

THE PEE POCKET was created by team of doctors who were fed up with the mess after taking their young daughters to unfit facilities.

THE PEE POCKET comes in single pockets for $1.75 or three packs for $4.95.

For more information, please visit http://www.thepeepocket.com

Check out our youtube videos:

Obviously I haven’t tried this myself but it looks like a device any outdoor woman would love. I know a few ladies who will be getting these!

John Kumiski

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Only Fished One Day This Week Freshwater Orlando Fishing Report

Only Fished One Day This Week Freshwater Orlando Fishing Report

It’s been one of those weeks. A real cold front came through. The water temperature in the Mosquito Lagoon went from the 80s to the 60s in four days. My computer crashed. More stuff broke on my old car. The wind howled all week. I didn’t have any charters.

Another week went by with only one day of fishing in. It seems to be a disturbing trend.

On the other hand, Fishing Florida’s Space Coast has been released as an ebook. See it (and hopefully buy it) here… http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/490918

Recent Blogs-

-The Old Town Has Had Its Last Ride

There’s a New Ebook on Fishing Florida’s Space Coast!

Upcoming Events: I’m speaking on the Indian River Paddle Adventure at the Backcountry Flyfishing Association November meeting, 630 pm on November 13, Orlando Outfitters. Come see!
-Indian River Lagoon Paddle Adventure kick-off party, at sunset on November 29th at the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach.

ENVIRONMENTAL ALERT! Reader Robert Pence sent me the following email:

“The Canaveral Port Authority has begun the permitting process for the building of a rail line from the North Port area to Merritt Island. This line will cross the Banana River Lagoon to the south of KARS Park, effectively, if not entirely, closing access to most of the present No Motor zone. It will also cause more damage to the Banana River Lagoon ecosystem and fishing in the Indian River Lagoon.

“If this has an undesirable effect to you, please attend one of the two public scoping meetings being held by the Office of Environmental Analysis and provide your comments. The meeting are:

-November 18th, 5-8 pm @Eastern Florida state College, Titusville Campus, John Henry Jones Gymnatoriam, 1311 North US1, Titusville, FL 32796;

-November 19th, 5-8 pm, Radisson Resort at the Port Convention Center, 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

“Please attend if you want to protect our lagoons and the No Motor Zone fishing area.”

Even though I think the Port Authority will do whatever it wants I hope to see some of you there.

OK, fishing. Once in a while fishing lures show up in my mail box. I don’t ask for them, they’re like gifts from God (or at least lure manufacturers). Last week a three-pack of ZMan Pop Shadz showed up. They’re soft plastic baits, five inches long. Nothing revolutionary there. You rig them on a 5/0 offset wide-gap hook, making them pretty darned weedless. Nothing revolutionary there, either. They have a popper face. That’s unusual in a soft plastic bait. And, they are buoyant enough to float, even with the hook in them. This combination is revolutionary, in a minor way.

I was looking forward to trying them. I had been looking for a lure like this for a long time.

I took them to one of my bass fishing spots in the St. Johns River system. The weeds were thick, and the Pop Shad went right through them. I only got one bite on it, from a ten inch bass, but it was the only bite I got on anything. Let’s not forget that 15 degree plus water temperature drop. The fish must be reeling.

So the test was not an unqualified success but I like the way the bait works. I am going to catch some fish on this bait in both salt- and freshwater.

They also have a PopFrogz. It looks good, too. See them both at http://zmanfishing.com/store/categories/elaztech/pop_shadz

Gotta go work on my car. See you next week, when I will hopefully get some fishing in!

That is this week’s exciting version of the Freshwater Orlando Fishing Report.

Life is great and I love my work!

Life is short. Go Fishing!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com

 

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.

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